I was glum when she placed me down again. It took only a few seconds to get here, and I wished it was longer. I guess we were sort of maybe probably late, and that was likely the reason she was hauling ass. Still, I was allowed to feel glum about it.
Apparently, I was going to be having morning tea with this master of mine. Lady Freya, that's what Magnolia's father called her. He seemed to be fond of her. I mean, would you let a person you weren't fond of be a master to your child? I think not. Milard, on the other hand, seemed to have beef with her, I assumed, solely on the fact that he didn't look so pleased when Olaf brought her up.
But that didn't really matter at the moment. I'd see for myself what kind of person she really was.
We stepped onto the garden path. The walkway was beautiful, lined with flowers I recognized, roses, lilies, daisies, and others I didn't have the tiniest clue about. They looked pretty, though.
The path led to the heart of the garden, a wide, open lawn, lush and green, with tall trees casting cool shade over the area. A fountain babbled gently nearby.
And at the far end stood a tall glass and iron greenhouse that looked so fucking cool that I almost veered off the path, but the maid was quick to snatch me back.
"Sorry," I said, but she didn't answer and kept walking. She really was terrified. Poor girl.
The garden really had everything. We crossed a stone bridge arching over a koi-filled pond, though the fish didn't look like any koi I knew. Once over it, I finally spotted the pavilion.
A small wooden structure draped in hanging wisteria. It was breathtaking. I lingered on the sight of it for a little too long. It was then that I noticed the figure seated beneath.
A woman, she seemed to command all my attention, the garden's beauty just a background to hers. Regal and poised, leaning back in her chair while sipping tea.
Then something I regretted instantly happened. We made eye contact, and I was locked in.
She didn't even bother to turn her head. Her side eye was enough to render me motionless.
What was it with these nobles and rendering people still? First Magnolia's papa and that Milard fellow, and now this lady.
It wasn't even aether. Just her vibe.
I saw why my maid was so scared of this woman. I wanted to escape and submit to her at the same time.
Speaking of my maid, where the hell was she? She was just behind me a second ago, and now I couldn't feel her presence. Did she fucking run away? I'm pretty sure she had. Fuck me, I guess. Was it too late for me to run as well?
The woman placed her teacup down and motioned me over with a finger.
And, you guessed it, I walked over like an obedient dog.
She didn't break eye contact the entire time, and I couldn't help but drink up the view.
She was stunningly beautiful. Dark emerald eyes and hair pinned in intricate crown-like braids. Her face, all sharp lines and elegance, high cheekbones, an aquiline nose, and rose-red lips. Because why not?
She looked like a sage, like she could see right through me, as if at a glance all my secrets were laid out and now I was in front of her.
"Sit," she said. No venom in her voice, just a calm command.
And I sat in the only seat available, the one across from her.
"Tea?" she offered.
And me? Well, I shook my head no. I didn't know what else to do, so I did what you do with cops. Deny, deny, and deny. At least, that was the plan running through my head.
But she wasn't a cop, was she?
"I'm glad you could honor me with your presence," she said.
It felt a bit sarcastic, and my stupid self answered with, "You're welcome." The words wiggled out of my mouth before I could think.
Shit. So much for not disrespecting people.
Lady Freya was quiet for a second, then a soft chuckle escaped her lips.
"Funny."
Though she didn't sound amused.
She turned her head, and I followed her gaze to see a well-kept bush nearby.
"Beatrice, come out."
The bush yelped. Well, I guess it wasn't the bush. Slowly, my maid sauntered out from behind it.
So that's where she had gone.
And Beatrice was her name? Good to know.
"Can't even greet me?"
Beatrice stiffened at the question. She quickly shook her head to deny.
But Lady Freya kept musing. "Then why hide from me? Is my face that ghoulish or what?"
"No, never! You're very beautiful, my lady." Beatrice said, flustered to all hell.
What the hell was the history between these two?
I looked at Freya as she went on teasing my poor Beatrice. She seemed to be having a good time.
Finally, she said, "Oh, come and join us, Beatrice. It's our last day meeting here, so I'll let you both off the hook with your tardiness, okay?"
She flicked her hand, and from the ground vines bubbled up and formed a seat. I didn't even see the aether flow. Did aether not work how I thought it did, or was her flow too quick?... maybe it was masked? I could feel my brain short-circuiting, so I stopped thinking about it. I made a note to figure it out later.
Beatrice hesitantly walked over and sat in the vine chair.
"Tea?" the lady offered Beatrice, who said yes, because I guess she was of the mind to comply with everything.
Lady Freya regarded us both for a long time as she poured Beatrice a cup, three spoons of sugar, then stirred. The silence was stretching on. Finally, she gently pushed the cup toward Beatrice, who took it and sipped slowly. Freya seemed pleased with this.
"Now, getting down to business," she said. "It's tragic that our time together is ending, and you've both been such good students."
Both?
I thought Freya was tutoring only Magnolia. Was she teaching Beatrice as well? Is that why they seemed to have history? Is this information I'm already supposed to know?
Shit.
I nodded along for good measure.
"Seeing that the debut is in a week, I'll have to take my leave."
Beatrice was still sipping her tea.
"Magnolia," she turned to me, "I've taught you all I was allowed to, so you better not let your peers show you up."
I nodded in agreement like I was ready for whatever came, which was bull crap, since I had no idea what she taught me. I really was royally fucked, wasn't I?
I was starting to realize that I should be taking my escape plan seriously. Did I really want to embarrass myself at the debut? And it's not like I could say, oh hey, I kind of have amnesia and have forgotten everything. Would you kindly reteach me everything I need to know in the span of a week?
No way in hell.
So I just sat there nodding like a fool.
"I do have good news, though."
That made me perk up. Beatrice took a break from sipping her tea.
"I've offered to be your chaperone."
Like things couldn't get any worse. Her, a chaperone? I could already tell that nothing got past her. How would I carry out my escape plan with her accompanying me everywhere?
Beatrice didn't seem thrilled either, but she said nothing.
Lady Freya was all smiles, so my dang face mirrored her, and I smiled as well.
"That's great news," I said.
"I'm glad you think so," she sipped her tea. "Unfortunately, it's deemed a necessary thing for you young ladies." She sounded a bit begrudging saying those words. "But don't worry. I won't hover too much."
She winked. At least I think it was a wink.
She downed the rest of her tea, stood, and smoothed her gown.
"I'll be going now."
Great. This meeting wasn't as enlightening as I would've liked. Now what?
I guess she saw my expression because she said, "Don't look so worried, love. You're more than ready for your debut."
Um, fuck no, I'm not.
That's what I wanted to say, but I smiled and nodded. Again.
"Bye now."
She pulled out a dainty umbrella. From where? Don't ask. I don't know either.
She spun it once in her hand, and as it opened, a soft hum of energy vibrated through the air. Blue light shimmered down like a spotlight as she stood under the umbrella.
And in the blink of an eye, she vanished.
Gone.
I was gagged and gooped.
I glanced at Beatrice, and she was gagged too. I was glad I wasn't the only one.
But man, was that meeting not useful at all apart from showing me how fucked I truly was.
Maybe I could get Beatrice to teach me some stuff?
I groaned, rubbing my temples. Why couldn't things just be simple and easy? I'm really gonna crash out at this point, but not with company.
"How's your tea?" I asked.
Beatrice perked up at the question.
"Sweet," she said. At least she was enjoying something.
"Magpie?" A sweet voice suddenly sounded, startling me from my thoughts, though I didn't let it show. I elegantly turned my gaze to the direction in which it came, and there was another woman coming up the path to the pavilion from the greenhouse.
When she was closer now, under the shade of the pavilion, recognition struck me.
"Seems your tutor's already taken her leave," the woman said, removing the gloves and setting them on the table, dirt and all. "Did you have a good talk?" She sat where Lady Freya had sat, smiling at me.
Her deep brown eyes, the resemblance to Magnolia's reflection unmistakable.
"...Mom?" I tested.
"What is it, dear?" a look of concern crossed her face. Silence hung, this was… Magnolia's mother.